On Wed, 28 Mar 2001 19:14:22 GMT, "FN" wrote:

>Hello. I'm starting out with video, but I have a lot of experience with
>still 35mm photography. One thing I like doing with 35mm is blurring the
>background while keeping the subject in focus. For instance, for portrait
>photography, I will use F2.8 aperature priority and as long as there is 15+
>feet between the subject and the background (e.g. a big green bush), then
>the background is really nicely blurred.
>
>Can this be done with DV video cameras? I was interested in the little Sony
>PC5 for portability sake, but I read that it doesn't have aperature control.
>Well I didn't even know that was possible on cheap (under $2000) DV cameras
>anyway! So I learned that the Sony DCR-TRV900 does have aperature control
>and it seems to be a good camera. That sounds great, but can it do what I
>want it to do? By the way, I'm talking about video here, and not worried
>about it's still picture capability. I want video of people talking and
>the backgrounds being blurred. Possible?

DOF is far greater in video than with stills, so it is
difficult to limit DOF without trying hard... But the
TRV-900 does allow you to select AE-A, and with the
"auto-shutter" on (allowing the camera to use very
high shutter speeds), and possibly with the built-in
ND filter engaged, you can force the lens to remain
wide open even in bright light. BTW, the TRV-900
(and others) are critically reviewed at:
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/camcorder-comparison.htm
and there is a lot on the TRV-900 at:
www.bealecorner.com/trv-900/index.html